Rotating structures

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of mechanical systems,and more specifically, to rotating structures.

2. Description of Related Art

Rotation structures provide a means to rotate objects around to serveseveral purposes, such as displaying automobiles in showroom, turntablesfor aircraft in storage hangar, rotating floors in theaters, nightclubs,and residential homes, etc. One type of rotation structures is turntablefor vehicles. Turntables for vehicles provide for rotation of thevehicles to allow effective entry and exit in confined spaces such asdriveways.

Existing techniques to construct rotating structures for vehicles have anumber of drawbacks. One technique uses a motor to drive a shaftattached to a platform. This technique does not have mechanicalstability, difficult to construct, and expensive. Another technique usesa number of wheels located on the periphery of a track table. Thistechnique requires many moving parts and may suffer frequent breakdowns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of invention may best be understood by referring to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings that are used toillustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a residential system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an emergency service system accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a rotating structure according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a rotatingstructure having rollers support on the ground surface according to oneembodiment of the invention

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the rotatingstructure having rollers support on the trench surface according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a rotatingstructure having lateral rollers support according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the rotatingstructure having lateral rollers support according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a rotatingstructure having bar assembly with bipod supports according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the rotatingstructure having bar assembly with bipod supports according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process to construct a rotatingstructure according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process to position the barassembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating a process to place the rollers fromthe first surface according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating a process to place the rollerslaterally according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process to position the barassembly with bipod supports according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process to place the rollers tosupport the bar assembly with bipod supports according to one embodimentof the invention.

DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outerring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having aground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on thefirst surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring andthe inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. Aplurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the barassembly to rotate when activated.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knowncircuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown to avoidobscuring the understanding of this description.

One embodiment of the invention may be described as a process which isusually depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, ora block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as asequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallelor concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may bere-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed.A process may correspond to a method, a program, a procedure, a methodof manufacturing or fabrication, etc.

An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to construct andinstall a rotating structure. The rotating structure may be used in anumber of applications including vehicle turntables in residential homeor public ways, products display, vehicle storage, food or drinksserving establishments, nightclubs, theaters, or any other applicationsthat may involve rotating an object. The rotating structure is easy toconstruct, install, and maintain. It is also cost-effective, convenient,flexible, durable, and reliable. It may be installed below the groundsurface or on the ground surface depending on the applications. Thedescription that follows may focus on structures below a ground surface.It is, however, contemplated that the rotating structure may beinstalled on a ground surface. Furthermore, although the description mayrefer to a vehicle, it is understood that embodiments of the inventionmay be used for anything, including people and animals, that may need tobe rotated or turned.

For applications that are below the ground surface, a foundation isselected where the rotating structure is to be installed. The foundationis excavated to remove the soil or material below. A trench or a ditchhaving a circular shape is formed.

The rotating structure includes two rings having approximately equalheights: an outer ring and an inner ring. Both rings are placed insidethe trench on the bottom surface of the trench. The depth of the trenchmatches with the height of the outer and inner rings with some clearanceto allow for variations. The inner ring is positioned inside the outerring, preferably in a concentric manner. The inside of the inner ringmay be filled up with concrete or any other suitable material to ensurerigidity. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and theinner ring. The bar assembly includes at least one core circular barthat may be engaged to a number of motors. When the motors areactivated, the bar assembly rotate. A number of rollers is provided tosupport the bar assembly and to facilitate the rotation. A pan or aplatform is attached or secured to the bar assembly. The dimensions andshape of the pan match with the bar assembly. Typically, it is annularwhere the outer diameter matches with the diameter of the outer ring andthe inner diameter matches with the diameter of the inner ring. The panis flush with the ground surface. The vehicle or the object to berotated is placed or parked on the pan. As the bar assembly rotates, thepan is rotated carrying the vehicle or the object.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a residential system 100A according toone embodiment of the invention. The system 100A includes a home 110, adriveway 120, a vehicle 125, a foundation 130, and a rotating structure140. Note that the system 100A may include more or less than the abovecomponents.

The home 110 is a residential unit. It typically includes a garage 115.The driveway 120 leads from the street to the front door of the garage115. The vehicle 125 may be any vehicle or object that may need to berotated for any purposes. It may be an automobile, a van, a motorbike,etc.

The foundation 130 is an area on the driveway 120 that houses orcontains the rotating structure 140. It has a ground surface 135 that isessentially level on the driveway 120. The rotating structure, which maybe referred to as a turntable, 140 has a rotating platform, or a pan,that is level with the ground surface 135. There may be markers (e.g.,specially colored spots, lights) on the platform to serve as a guide forthe user to park the vehicle 125 properly on the rotating structure 140.The rotating platform has a size or dimension that is compatible withthe vehicle 125.

A user drives the vehicle 125 from the street to the driveway 120 andparks on the rotating structure 140. The user may use a remote controldevice to activate the rotating structure 140 to rotate to any desiredangle when he or she wants to drive off the vehicle 125 in anydirection. The vehicle 125 may be rotated as the rotating platformrotates. Through remote control or any other appropriate controlmechanisms, the user may activate or deactivate the rotating structure140, or to control the speed of rotation. The user may or may not be inthe vehicle 125 to control the rotating structure 140.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an emergency service system 100Baccording to one embodiment of the invention. The emergency servicesystem includes a cul-de-sac 150, an emergency vehicle 160, thefoundation 130, and the rotating structure 140. Note that the system100B may include more or less than the above components.

The cul-de-sac 150 represents an end of a street. It may be any otherarea that may have confined space or may be difficult for vehicles tomaneuver or turn around. The emergency vehicle 160 may be any vehiclethat is operated by a public, government agency, or private organizationsuch as law enforcement agency, fire department, hospital, paramedics,etc that offers emergency services.

The foundation 130 and the rotating structure 140 are similar to thoseshown in FIG. 1A. The foundation 130 may be an area that houses orcontains the rotating structure 140. It may be located at the center ofthe cul-de-sac 150 or any other suitable location. It may have theground surface 135 that is level with the surface of the street to thecul-de-sac 150. The rotating structure 140 has a rotating platform thathas size or dimension compatible with the emergency vehicle 160. It mayalso be strong enough to support the weight of the emergency vehicle160.

The emergency vehicle 160 may be rotated or turned to any desired anglefor entry and exit to and from the cul-de-sac 150. During emergency, itmay be critical for the emergency personnel to maneuver the emergencyvehicle 160 in an efficient manner. The rotating structure 140 allowsthe emergency vehicle 160 to be turned or rotated safely andefficiently.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the rotating structure 140 shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention. Therotating structure 140 includes an outer ring 210, an inner ring 220, abar assembly 230, a plurality of rollers 240, a plurality of motors 250,and a pan, or a platform, 260. The rotating structure 140 may includemore or less than the above elements. The rotating structure 140 isinstalled in the foundation 130.

The outer ring 210 is placed in a trench 270 of the foundation 130. Thetrench 270 may be a hollow area with a circular shape. It has a firstsurface 275 at the bottom. The outer ring 210 may be a sheet made ofmetal (e.g., steel) and form a circle. It is placed on the first surface275 in the circular trench 270 to define the external boundary of therotating structure 140. It may keep or retain the ground soil orconcrete from getting inside. The outer ring may have a first height H₁.The height H₁ may range from approximately one foot to 3 feet. Thediameter of the outer ring 210 may be selected to accommodate the sizeof the vehicle or the object to be rotated. In one embodiment, thediameter of the outer ring may range from 10 feet to 15 feet.

The inner ring 220 is placed or positioned inside the outer ring 210 onthe first surface 275. It may be filled with concrete or any othermaterial that provides strength and stiffness. It may be a sheet made ofmetal (e.g., steel) and form a circle. Typically the inner ring 220 andthe outer ring 210 are concentrically positioned inside the trench 270.The inner ring 220 may have a height H₂ that is compatible with H₁. Inone embodiment, H₁ and H₂ are approximately the same to provide evennessfor the pan 260 when it is placed on the bar assembly 230. Furthermore,the heights H₁ and H₂ are approximately equal to the depth of the trench270 so that the pan 260 may be flush with the ground surface. Thediameter of the inner ring 220 may be selected to accommodate the sizeof the vehicle. In one embodiment, the diameter of the outer ring mayrange from 5 feet to 9 feet.

The bar assembly 230 may be positioned between the outer ring 210 andthe inner ring 220 horizontally. The bar assembly 230 provides therotational movement that is used to rotate the vehicle. In oneembodiment, the bar assembly 230 includes one core circular bar and twoinner and outer circular bars. In another embodiment, the bar assembly230 includes only one core circular bar. The bar assembly 230 may beplaced at a height that is slightly below the height H1 and H2 so thatthe pan 260 may be fit on top of it to provide surface evenness with theground surface 135.

The plurality of rollers 240 supports the bar assembly 230 andfacilitates the rotational movement. They may be located or positionedaccording to the various embodiments. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2,they are placed on the outer surface of the inner ring 220 and the innersurface of the outer ring 210 to provide lateral support for the barassembly 230. Each of the rollers 240 may include an attachmentmechanism to attach to the surface of the rings and a wheel that touchesthe bar assembly 230 to allow the bar assembly 230 to rotate whenactivated.

The plurality of motors 250 engages the bar assembly 230 to cause thebar assembly 230 to rotate when activated. The motors 250 are positionedon and attached to the first surface 275 and are coupled to the barassembly 230. When they are activated or energized, they providerotational action on the bar assembly 230. In one embodiment, the motors250 are hydraulic motors. The motors 250 may be controlled by a controlmechanism that may have remote control capability so that the user mayactivate the rotational movement remotely.

The pan 260 is placed on the bar assembly 230 and fit between the outerand inner rings 210 and 220 to provide support for the vehicle such thatthe vehicle is rotated with the bar assembly 230. The pan 260 may beattached or secured firmly to the bar assembly 230 through an attachmentmechanism. The pan 260 may have an annular shape to fit the spacebetween the outer ring 210 and the inner ring 220. It may have athickness that fits the difference between the height of the barassembly 230 and the heights of the outer and inner rings 210 and 220.When it is placed on the bar assembly 230, the pan 260 is flush with theground surface 135.

There are at least three embodiments of the invention. The first twoembodiments are shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4C. These two embodimentshave similar bar assembly 230. They mainly differ in the placement ofthe rollers 240. The third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Ithas a different bar assembly 230 and different placement of the rollers240. The description of these embodiments focuses mainly on the barassembly 230 and the rollers 240. The other components including theouter ring 210, the inner ring 220, the motors 250, and the pan 260 areessentially the same and therefore will not be described further forbrevity.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of the rotatingstructure having rollers support on the ground surface according to oneembodiment of the invention.

The bar assembly 230 includes an inner circular bar 330, an outercircular bar 340 and a core circular bar 350. The three circular barsform concentric circles where the core circular bar 350 is positionedbetween the inner and outer circular bars 330 and 340. The core circularbar 350 may be attached to the inner and outer circular bars 330 and 340so that when it is rotated, the entire bar assembly 230 including allthree circular bars is also rotated. The inner and the outer circularbars 330 and 340 provide mechanical support for the pan 260. They alsohave movement contact with the wheels on the rollers when they arerotated. The core circular bar 350 may have a rectangular cross-sectionto fit to the motors 250. It is coupled and engaged to the motors 250such that when the motors are activated the core circular bar 350 isrotated together with the inner and outer circular bars 330 and 340.

The inner, outer, and core circular bars 330, 340, and 350 may be madeof an appropriate material (e.g., steel) that provides sufficientstrength to carry the weight of the vehicle. The inner and outer cicularbars 330 and 340 may have a tubular shape to accommodate the wheels onthe rollers 240. They may have a diameter ranging from one inch to threeinches. The core circular bar 350 may have a height slightly larger thanthe diameter of the inner and outer circular bars 330 and 340. The threecircular bars 330, 340, and 350 may be attached together by attachmentbars 355.

The rollers 240 are attached or secured to the first surface 275 andcoupled or engaged to the bar assembly 230. They may be positioned atapproximately equal distances around the circular bars 330, 340, and350. In one embodiment, the number of the rollers 240 may range from sixto twenty four.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the rotatingstructure having rollers support on the trench surface according to oneembodiment of the invention.

The pan 260 is placed on top of the bar assembly 230. It may haveinserts 320 that serve as pick-up points for concrete for maintenancepurposes. The rollers 240 support the corresponding circular bars 330,340, and 350 from the first surface 275 of the trench 270. The motors250 are engaged to the core circular bar 350 from the first surface 275.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a rotatingstructure having lateral rollers support according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

The bar assembly 230 is similar to the bar assembly 230 shown in FIG.3A. The main difference is that the rollers 240 are attached or engagedto the bar assembly 230 laterally instead of from the first surface 275.The rollers 240 include inner rollers 410 and outer rollers 420. Theinner rollers 410 are attached to the outer surface of the inner ring220 at approximately equal distances around the surface of the innerring 220. They are coupled or engaged to the inner circular bar 330. Theouter rollers 420 are attached to the inner surface of the outer ring210 at approximately equal distances around the surface of the outerring 210. They are coupled or engaged to the outer circular bar 340. Inone embodiment, the numbers of the inner rollers 410 and the outerrollers 420 are the same. There may be between two to twelve innerrollers 410 or outer rollers 420.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the rotatingstructure having lateral rollers support according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

The pan 260 is placed on top of the bar assembly 230 in a similar manneras shown in FIG. 3B. The inner rollers 410 are attached to the outersurface of the inner ring 220 to engage to the inner circular bar 330 ofthe bar assembly 230. The outer rollers 420 are attached to the innersurface of the outer ring 210 to engage to the outer circular bar 340 ofthe bar assembly 230. The motors 250 are engaged to the core circularbar 350 from the first surface 275 of the trench 270.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of a rotatingstructure having bar assembly with bipod supports according to oneembodiment of the invention.

The bar assembly 230 includes a core circular bar 510 having a pluralityof bipod supports 520 positioned at approximately equal distancesthereon. In one embodiment, the number of bipod supports 520 may rangefrom four to twelve. Each of the bipod supports has a V-shape structurepointing upward to support the pan 260 when it is secured to the barassembly 230. The core circular bar 510 is engaged to the motors 250 inthe same manner as shown in the previous two embodiments.

The rollers 240 support the bar assembly 230 via a number of barsupports 530. The bar supports 530 may be bars attached horizontally tothe outer surface of the inner ring 220 or the inner surface of theouter ring 210.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the rotatingstructure having bar assembly with bipod supports according to oneembodiment of the invention.

The bar support 530 may be attached to the outer surface of the innerring 220 and coupled to the core circular bar 510. The rollers 240 areplaced beneath the bar supports 530 from the first surface 275. Themotors 250 are engaged to the core circular bar 510 from the firstsurface 275 of the trench 270 as in the previous embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process 600 to construct a rotatingstructure according to one embodiment of the invention.

Upon START, the process 600 places an outer ring on a first surfaceinside a foundation having a ground surface (Block 610). The firstsurface is the bottom surface of a trench in the foundation. Then, theprocess 600 places an inner ring positioned inside the outer ring on thefirst surface (Block 620). The inner ring is positioned in a concentricmanner with respect to the outer ring. Next, the process 600 positions abar assembly between the outer ring and the inner ring (Block 630). Thebar assembly is positioned horizontally at a height slightly below theheight of the outer and inner rings.

Then, the process 600 places a plurality of rollers to support the barassembly (Block 640). Next, the process 600 engages a plurality ofmotors to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when themotors are activated (Block 650). Then, the process 600 places a pan onthe bar assembly to fit between the outer and inner rings to providesupport for a vehicle such that the vehicle is rotated with the barassembly (Block 660). The pan has an annular shape that fits the spacebetween the outer ring and the inner ring and is flush with the groundsurface. The process 600 is then terminated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process 630 to position the barassembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

Upon START, the process 630 positions inner and outer circular bars ofthe bar assembly between the outer and inner rings (Block 710). Next,the process 630 attaches a core circular bar to the inner and outercircular bars (Block 720). This may be performed by using attachmentbars that are secured or coupled to all the three bars at approximatelyequal distances around the circular bars. The core circular bar ispositioned between the inner and outer circular bars. Then, the process630 engages the core circular bar to the plurality of motors such thatwhen the motors are activated the core circular bar is rotated togetherwith the inner and outer circular bars (Block 730). The process 630 isthen terminated.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating the process 640 to place the rollersfrom the first surface according to one embodiment of the invention.This process corresponds to the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B.

Upon START, the process 640 attaches the rollers to the first surface(Block 810). The rollers are positioned at approximately equal distancesaround the circular bars. Next, the process 640 engage the rollers tothe bar assembly (Block 820). The process 640 is then terminated.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating the process 640 to place the rollerslaterally according to one embodiment of the invention. This processcorresponds to the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Upon START, the process 640 attaches the rollers to surfaces of outerand inner rings (Block 850). This may be performed by attaching innerrollers to outer surface of the inner ring and outer rollers to innersurface of the outer ring. The rollers are attached at approximatelyequal distances around surfaces of the outer and inner rings. Next, theprocess 640 engages the rollers to the inner and outer circular bars(Block 860). The process 640 is then terminated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process 630 to position the barassembly with bipod supports according to one embodiment of theinvention. This process corresponds to the third embodiment as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B.

Upon START, the process 630 positions a core circular bar having aplurality of bipod supports at approximately equal distances thereon(Block 910). Next, the process 630 engages the core circular bar to theplurality of motors (Block 920). The process 630 is then terminated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process 640 to place the rollersto support the bar assembly with bipod supports according to oneembodiment of the invention. This process corresponds to the thirdembodiment as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Upon START, the process 640 attaches a plurality of bar supportshorizontally to surface of the outer or inner ring (Block 1010). Next,the process 640 attaches the rollers to the first surface on surface ofthe trench (Block 1020). Then, the process 640 engages the rollers tothe plurality of bar supports and the core circular bar (Block 1030).The process 640 is then terminated.

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention isnot limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced withmodification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative insteadof limiting.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. An apparatus comprising: an outer ring placed on afirst surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface; aninner ring positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface; a barassembly positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring; aplurality of rollers to support the bar assembly; and a plurality ofmotors engaging the bar assembly to cause the assembly to rotate whenactivated; wherein the bar assembly comprises: a core circular barhaving a plurality of bipod supports positioned at approximately equaldistances thereon, the core circular bar being engaged to the pluralityof motors.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rollers engage to aplurality of bar supports attached horizontally to surface of the outeror inner ring and the core circular bar. 11-30. (canceled)